Assisting victims of domestic abuse living in the UK on a spousal visa

Nazia Rashid
Anthony Gold

Domestic Violence: Law and Practice is a comprehensive practitioner’s guide to dealing with cases involving personal protection, harassment and domestic violence.

The extensive text is supplemented by appendices containing key forms, precedents and legislation.

‘I’m so scared he’ll hit me again and don’t know what to do. I’ve had enough and want to leave him. I’ve been living in London for the past 13 months on a spousal visa and have no income of my own. What can I do?’

Statements like the above are not unusual for a family law solicitor. We will regularly come across cases where a spouse, typically the wife, is subject to a spousal visa, ie their immigration status in the UK is entirely dependent upon their spouse’s right to remain in the UK or citizenship.

For the purposes of this article and for ease we shall refer to the victim of the domestic abuse and the applicant as being the wife.

What can a family solicitor do to assist?

Read the full article here.